Link to NAIA Bylaws
Who is a Post-Baccalaureate Student?
A post-baccalaureate student is someone who has already earned a bachelor’s degree and is now:
- Pursuing another bachelor’s degree or second major area of study,
- Enrolled in graduate or professional coursework,
- Or completing a post-baccalaureate teacher education or certification program.
Key Rule Changes from the Bylaw Change
- New Structure: Post-baccalaureate eligibility now has its own section (no longer treated as an “exception”).
- Transfers Allowed: Students can now transfer to another NAIA school for a second degree and still be eligible.
- No Progress Rule for Grad Students: Graduate students don’t need to meet the 24/36-Hour Rule or the Progress Rule’s accumulated credit standards.
- Senior Exception Still Stands: Students can still use the senior exception in their final undergrad term.
- Definition Clarified: “Post-baccalaureate” now includes second bachelor’s degrees and additional majors—not just graduate degrees.
✅ General Eligibility Requirements for ALL Post-Baccalaureate Students
To be eligible, the student must:
- Be officially enrolled and identified with the institution.
- Meet institutional and conference eligibility standards.
- Follow NAIA rules for repeat coursework.
- Meet enrollment timing and certification deadlines.
- Be recertified within 30 days after a term ends, unless they’ve graduated or hit the 10-semester limit.
- Complete a 2-week residency if they enroll late.
If Pursuing a Second Bachelor’s Degree or Major
To compete, the student must:
- Enroll in at least 12 institutional credits.
- Meet the 24/36-Hour Rule (unless using the senior exception).
- Make normal academic progress and meet institutional GPA standards.
- Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
✅ The registrar must verify these requirements before the student competes.
If Pursuing Graduate, Professional, or Certification Work
To compete, the student must:
- Be enrolled in a full-time graduate load (as defined by the institution).
- Exception: In the final term, students may enroll in fewer credits if they’re graduating.
- See also: Undergraduate Courses for Graduate Identification
- Successfully complete the full-time graduate course load each term.
- Maintain required GPA per institutional and NAIA standards.
- Hold a cumulative 2.0 GPA (calculated using graduate-level coursework).
✅ The registrar must verify all eligibility conditions before the student competes.
Important Guidance: For students moving between undergraduate program and graduate program, see: How to Certify After Post-Bacc Degree
Quick FAQs & Clarifications
Q: Does graduating end a student’s eligibility?
A: No. Graduation no longer automatically ends eligibility. Students can continue competing if all requirements are met.
Q: What counts as a second major?
A: It must be a new academic path that leads to a baccalaureate degree—not a minor or concentration.
Q: Can grad students take undergrad prerequisite courses?
A: Yes, if certified by the registrar as required for the grad program. However, they must meet the 12-hour minimum if undergrad credits are used.
Q: What if a grad student fails a class required for their program?
A: They will be ineligible for the next term, even if they completed the credit hours, if their program considers a D or F a failure.
Registrar’s Role
The Eligibility Certification Process (ECP) requires registrars to verify:
- Program enrollment (2nd bachelor’s or graduate),
- Full-time status,
- GPA requirements,
- Successful course completion,
- And all relevant academic rules.
Their signature on the ECP confirms this.
See also: https://interpretations.naia.org/2023-bylaw-update-graduate-student-eligibility/
